Never in a million years did I think that I would blossom into a young entrepreneur. I remember when I first heard the word entrepreneur – I was 11 years old and in 6th grade when my teacher told us that she had just quit being an entrepreneur in Austin, Texas to go back to her roots of teaching reading. I didn’t think much if it, but looking back, something must have stuck with me subconsciously.

When I was 14 years old, I uploaded my first YouTube video. I never considered YouTube a business because it was something I did for fun (even though I repeatedly got made fun of for it and bullied, I didn’t care). But with each new video, I went on Facebook and blasted every single person who was online on messenger, my status, friends profile pages, and even random people on the internet with the link to my newest video ( I was the best spammer of them all). Although I didn’t get it at the time, I was doing something very important for my “business” – I was marketing it, hard. My views kept growing and growing and the whispers at school got louder and louder, but I didn’t care because every time someone clicked on my video to either laugh with me or to laugh at me, I still made money. As long as they were clicking on my video link, and talking about me, I didn’t have to ask my parents for allowance and to me that was way more cool than being popular at school.

When I was 19 years old and a freshman in college, my mom told me I wasn’t allowed to get a job because she wanted me to focus on school. However, I was bored and needed something to do and I wanted to go shopping (which I needed money for). So I started an Ebay business out of my dorm room. I had so much fun selling my stuff! I set up a little photoshoot in my room and got rid of just about everything I wasn’t using or didn’t need anymore. I made about $300 that weekend. I took that money to go on a shopping spree and even put money back into my business. That meant when I went to Plato’s closet, I bought a pair of unworn Michael Kors heels for $15 and sold them for $75 later that week. You’d be be surprised what people will buy from you on Ebay….never underestimate the internet.

Now I’m 21 years old. I’m a senior at Florida State Univeristy graduating a semester early. After experiencing my own trial and errors with social media, and having had the opportunity over the years to do social media for other companies, I decided it was time for me to try my own thing. In January of 2017, I sat down in Starbucks to create a website with a vision that would help small and local businesses with keeping their social media up to date. I understand the passion of a business, because I just started my own. Keeping social media up to date and engaging for your business’ audience, is a huge job in itself. It is the way to market yourself. Why not do it the right way?

The day after I created the website, and made one post to Facebook, I had three clients. I also hadn’t even developed a full business plan because I wasn’t expecting anything to happen in 24 hours, but it did. I decided I wanted to start with a consultation (aka a fun phone call) because creating a great business relationship with my client right off of the bat was VERY important to me. I want my clients to feel like they can text/call/email/Facebook me anytime. They trust me with a HUGE part of their business, so I want to initiate trust and understanding right away. My plans are flexible and go by the month because each month in business is different. Some months are better than others, and I do understand that.

Social Nineteen is going to give me a start in life that I didn’t ever think was possible. So far, it’s allowed me to work with people from all over the United States, travel a little, and have so much fun being creative everyday. I think I have winged my business plan pretty well. But it all comes down to something very simple – treat people how you want to be treated, listen, and know what your time is worth. One day soon, I hope to have an office full of amazing employees and have clients world wide. But for right now, I’ll be the girl with the MacBook, creating the best possible future.

Thank you so much for reading! If you are looking for any social media help please contact socialnineteen@gmail.com